Wellington CDI5* Draws International Freestyle Field

The Wellington CDI5* qualifier is a notable date on the North American Dressage calendar. Outside of the newly created US Equestrian Open of Dressage Final, it remains the only CDI5* held in the region—a status it has carried since the Global Dressage Festival launched in 2009. This year’s edition draws an internationally experienced freestyle field, with six Olympians contesting Thursday’s Grand Prix to qualify for either the Special or the Freestyle later in the weekend.

With none of the current top three on the Open leaderboard entered, the points picture focuses squarely on opportunity through the middle of the field. Riders sitting between fourth and fifteenth have ample room to shuffle positions.

Susan Pape and a Statistical Edge

On paper, Great Britain’s Susan Pape arrives with the strongest freestyle numbers in the field. Pape and Harmony’s Giulilanta have contested just two FEI Grand Prix Freestyles together, producing an average of 79.048% and a personal best of 79.805%.

The limited sample size is worth noting, but those scores still stand apart from the rest of the field. If Pape delivers something close to her established range, she positions herself clearly at the top of the class. This weekend also marks the first appearance by a British rider in the US Equestrian Open of Dressage, adding a new flag to the Series.

Anna Marek Returns to the Freestyle Ring

Anna Marek returns to the freestyle ring for the first time this season with Fayvel. Their last freestyle appearance came at the Open Final last year, where they finished third on a 77.830%, behind Felicitas Hendricks and Ben Ebeling.

Their FEI freestyle average currently sits at 75.966%, with a personal best of 78.995%. Those numbers keep them firmly in podium range, particularly in a field without the Open’s current leaders. The primary question this week is simply how quickly they settle back into freestyle competition after a break from the test.

Caroline Darcourt and the Mid-70s Conversation

Caroline Darcourt and Lord Django sit just behind Marek on paper, but their numbers reinforce how tight that grouping is. Their freestyle average of 75.333% trails Fayvel’s by a narrow margin, and their personal best of 78.170% sits just below Marek’s top score.

They were last seen at AGDF 1, finishing fourth on a 75.695%. That score aligns closely with their established range and reflects the kind of consistent mid-70s performance that often keeps the combination competitive when others make mistakes.

Frederic Wandres with Championship Credentials 

Frederic Wandres enters the freestyle with significant championship credentials despite piloting a mount with some of the least amount of experience. Verrenberg, the nine-year-old Oldenburg gelding, has only two FEI Grand Prix Freestyles to his name, but he is ridden by a member of Germany’s 2024 Olympic gold medal team. 

The pair arrive off a strong showing at last week’s Gold Coast Opener, where Wandres won the Grand Prix on a 71.326% and returned the following day to win the Grand Prix Special on a higher 72.298%. Scoring higher in the Special than the Grand Prix is notable and points to the technical accuracy we’ve come to expect from the Germans. In theory, that should translate well to the freestyle that builds upon a strong technical base with artistry and musicality. 

Experience Lower Down the Order

Ashley Holzer and Hawtins San Floriana round out the group of realistic contenders. The mare has steadily improved her freestyle marks, most recently earning a personal best of 75.010% at AGDF 1, placing them squarely within the mid-70s range occupied by several podium threats.

Holzer, a three-time Olympian, joins fellow Canadian Olympian Chris von Martels in adding depth and experience to Friday’s freestyle lineup.

What to Watch

Friday’s freestyle brings together a mix of proven international riders and developing freestyle partnerships in a prestigious CDI5* setting. Catch the action live on USEF Network starting at 7:15 p.m. ET. Sign up for free as a fan to stream the action.